Real life/after surgery
Sun, February 27, 2011 4:45 AM
anyone have trouble getting reacquainted with a schedule and the new limitations you face after a major surgery? a series of major surgeries? i never slept at the hospital, just for a couple hours at a time always with the background noise of the nurses' station telephones and someone coming into check my blood pressure while the other half of my body attempts to sleep.
so i didn't sleep well, but i sure slept a lot, and now i'm on a terrible schedule in the real world. no more bedtime snack, because they keep me up til morning (although i still do it...) no more veggies or other form of insoluble fiber, nothing spicy or salty or with high cholesterol. always have mints or gum nearby and my anti-nausea meds, one in my pill case (that stays in my purse) and one in my wallet (also stays in my purse but is removed constantly). drink water--and gatorade whenever possible. multiple fiber supplements, more exercise in order to remind my muscles that it's been quite some time since they were almost destroyed--cut into or faded away.
it's frustrating for my independence, i get sick of staying up late and going through the same old routine. i get tired twice as easily already, then i have to go and add insufficient sleep to my already-constant fatigue. my roommates hate it, it keeps them up if i'm making noise, my boyfriend hates it--which makes me hate it even more. he's lying asleep next to me right now and i feel so awful any time something related to me not being 100% well or just having gone through surgeries just over a year ago affects our relationship. he met me when i was sick, and i was a different person then, and before then. i'm trying to put my pieces back together and i hate it when he notices little bits of me that fell apart once. i don't have a chance to tell him once upon a time i was a normal person, and i feel bad he'll never know that person.
Joined Jul 23, 2008
Sun, March 06, 2011 2:56 PM
Reply posted for hey2308.
Dearest hey(forgot the numbers already),
First, let me point out the obvious. Your beloved boyfriend is(was at the time of your post) right beside you. I feel compelled to tell you my little love story. I'll keep it brief:
1992 - diagnosed with Crohn's. Apr 1994 - met Scott. Jan 1995- fistula surgery. Jun - Aug 1995 - TPN. Nov 1995- Surgery for colostomy, resections, and stricturoplasties. Scott learned about caring for my ostomy - because I was crying so much and didn't want to learn. Told me everyday I was beautiful and that he loved me. Here we are in 2011 - married and have two kids.
Yes, it is difficult to find your new schedule after surgery. Yes, your body takes longer than you expected to fully recover and regain all that energy. Yes, your tummy has a new look. Not all of your old clothes fit. Sleep doesn't always happen at night and for 8 hours at a time. think of this experience as a positive one. Surgery can change more than your body but also your outlook. I am grateful for my ostomy surgery-for it taught me much about love.
I wish you all the best. Ginn
Joined Feb 23, 2011
Related Topics
Small bowel resection
jess123Joined Jan 9, 2022
Hi, I'm preparing to have an ileocecal resecti....
read more
Flap Surgery
Joined Feb 14, 2023
Had surgery on 10/27 after being in the hospital m....
read more
Jpouch Surgery
Joined Oct 11, 2016
I just had my first surgery out of three stage sur....
read more